The Constitution of the State of Alabama is the basic governing document of the U.S. state of Alabama. It was adopted in 2022 and is Alabama's seventh state constitution.

History

Alabama has had seven constitutions to date, all but the current one established via State Conventions: 1819 (converting Alabama Territory into a State), 1861 (Secession), 1865 (Reconstruction), 1868 (Reconstruction), 1875 (ending Reconstruction), 1901 (Jim Crow) and the current document, adopted in 2022.[1][2] Governor Kay Ivey formally proclaimed the new constitution to be in effect on Monday, November 28, 2022, shortly after the state's election results were certified.[3]

Recompilation of the Alabama Constitution of 1901

The current Alabama Constitution is a recompilation of the Alabama Constitution of 1901. The recompilation had five objectives, as follows:[4]

  • arranging it in proper articles, parts, and sections;
  • removing all racist language (examples of racist language being removed included Section 102 of Article IV of the former Constitution, which forbade "marriage between any white person and a Negro, or descendant of a negro".[5]);
  • deleting duplicative and repealed provisions;
  • consolidating provisions regarding economic development; and
  • arranging all local amendments by county of application.

General overview

The Alabama Constitution, in common with all other state constitutions, defines a tripartite government organized under a presidential system. Executive power is vested in the Governor of Alabama, legislative power in the Alabama State Legislature (bicameral, composed of the Alabama House of Representatives and Alabama Senate), and judicial power in the Judiciary of Alabama. Direct, partisan, secret, and free elections are provided for filling all branches.

References

  1. ↑ An Overview of Alabama's Six Constitutions, Alabama Legislature, retrieved 27 December 2023
  2. ↑ staff, AL com (November 8, 2022). "Election results for proposed amendments to Alabama's Constitution on Nov. 8, 2022". al.
  3. ↑ Monger | 11.29.22, Craig. "Alabama officially certifies results of November midterms". 1819 News.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ Cason, Mike (March 3, 2022). "Alabama Constitution of 2022 appears to be headed for voters in November". al.
  5. ↑ Dunavant, Gary (September 19, 2021). "Alabama Begins Removing Racist Language From Its Constitution".
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